The S-512 Supersonic Jet has an operational range of approximately 11,500 km, seating 12 to 18 passengers and focusing on luxury.
The American aerospace company Spike Aerospace announced that it has started taking pre-orders for its $100 million supersonic aircraft, as reported by Interesting Engineering on September 12.
Simulation of Spike Aerospace’s aircraft flying over the city. (Photo: Spike Aerospace/X)
The dream of flying across oceans at speeds faster than sound came to an end in 2003 when the Concorde made its final flight. Many startups are striving to make that dream a reality once again, such as Aerion and Boom Supersonic, but they face numerous challenges. Thus, Spike’s announcement of taking pre-orders reignites hope for the resurgence of supersonic flights.
Spike Aerospace’s supersonic jet, named the S-512, accommodates 12 to 18 passengers. This vehicle combines high-speed travel with luxury, and its simulation images depict it as designed for wealthy individuals in a hurry to reach their destinations.
The S-512 is expected to operate at Mach 1.6 (1.6 times the speed of sound), equating to approximately 1,800 km/h. This means passengers can fly at least 800 km/h faster than current commercial aircraft.
The S-512’s windowless cabin design with large screens. (Photo: Spike Aerospace/X)
Spike Aerospace has not revealed much about the technology of the S-512. However, according to the company’s website, the windowless cabin design contributes to a quiet flying experience. Spike Aerospace believes that their aircraft will not produce a sonic boom when flying at supersonic speeds. The quietness allows it to operate at high speeds even over land.
The cabin walls serve as high-resolution screens, providing entertainment for passengers during the flight. Controlled by smart devices or touchpads at each seat, the cabin walls can display content from phones or tablets, stream on-demand media, or provide a 360-degree view of the outside.
With the S-512, Spike Aerospace claims that passengers can reach their desired destinations, meet more clients, and complete transactions more efficiently. The journey from London to New York is expected to take no more than 4 hours, and with an operational range of about 11,500 km, passengers can fly non-stop from New York to Dubai.
